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Across Europe, national governments have moved to implement national policies which deal exclusively with autistic people.• This indicates that governments have been persuaded that autism needs a unique approach that is different to other disabilities.• In England, the shift in policy is linked to the actions of a small group of advocates who are themselves autistic.• These advocates promote a positive view of autism as a strength and a resource, which is very different to the governmental position on disability.• This reframing has resulted in English autism policy which looks noticeably different from English disability policy.• This is important evidence that a strength-based approach to disability can lead to lobbying success.• Rather than being framed as infantilised dependents, autistic people are framed as successful underdogs: holders of unrecognised potential who succeed against the odds and against expectations -and, crucially, who the public love to support.

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